Key Takeaways
1. Elden Ring Tarnished Edition’s release date has been pushed to 2026 for performance adjustments.
2. Initial demos on Switch 2 showed significant frame rate drops, especially in open areas and combat.
3. FromSoftware has not confirmed plans to implement DLSS technology for performance improvements.
4. Limited graphical settings were noted in the game’s menus, similar to the PC version which required mods for enhancements.
5. Other upcoming titles, like Assassin’s Creed Shadows, are also expected to face performance challenges on the Switch 2.
At Gamescom 2025, a demo for Elden Ring on Switch 2 quickly brought up worries about its performance. Although a newer version showed some advancements at Pax West, FromSoftware has concluded that the game still needs further optimization. In a post on social media, fans found out that the release date for the Elden Ring Tarnished Edition has been pushed back to 2026.
Release Date Update
The announcement clarified that the company “decided to move the launch to 2026 to allow time for performance adjustments.” Nintendo enthusiasts had hoped to see the open-world RPG released in 2025. However, the absence of a specific date by late October makes the delay somewhat expected.
Performance Issues
Even with the enhanced Switch 2 specifications, not every game transitions smoothly to the handheld. The first hands-on demo of Elden Ring Tarnished Edition showed frequent drops in frame rate. When players roamed the vast areas of Limgrave, testers reported that the fps dipped below 20. Combat was even more concerning, with stutters disrupting the typically smooth battles.
Future Improvements
It’s still unclear how FromSoftware intends to fix the disappointing performance of the port. One option for developers to enhance lower-powered systems is DLSS. Sadly, there’s no evidence that this AI-driven upscaling technology is included in the Elden Ring Switch 2 port. Attendees at Gamescom noted the limited graphical settings in the game’s menus. For the PC version, players had to use mods to add this feature.
Star Wars Outlaws, which does use DLSS, gave players hope that FromSoftware could quickly implement necessary changes. Similar to Elden Ring Tarnished Edition, the early reviews mentioned issues like choppiness and low-quality textures. However, by the time the game launched, there were significant improvements.
Upcoming Titles
Ubisoft aims to achieve something similar with the demanding Assassin’s Creed Shadows. A box shot that appeared at a French retailer suggests that the Switch 2 game could be released in December.
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